Of course, I’m not exactly an unbiased observer. High energy prices may mean somewhat higher overall retail prices for me, but they aren’t going to threaten my income. I live in a mild climate, have an energy-efficient house and I rarely go anywhere except for recreation. Publix market is 200 yards away, and there’s a bus stop on the way there. Relative to the society as a whole, I will prosper. But the society is not my problem, is it?

See, I’m learning to think like a Republican. Both my 30MPG Nissans are probably worth more now than what I paid for them new, and they can only become more valuable as time goes on. If hoi polloi gas goes to $10 a gallon I can deal with it, and they can go out and get another job.

Since the 1% pays exactly the same as the 99% per gallon, think of it as a perfectly fair “flat tax”.